Nordsjaelland’s late equaliser denied Hearts a first European win for two years in the opening UEFA Conference League tie against Nordsjaelland. The Edinburgh club started the competition’s league phase positively in front of an expectant Tynecastle crowd and were leading 1-0 through Oisin McEntee’s first-half strike. However, substitute Nicklas Rojkjaer struck a deflected goal on 86 minutes to earn the Danes a point.
This was Hearts’ third voyage into the Conference League’s main phase in the last five years and they were determined to begin with purpose. Although the scoreline finished level, the home side were cursing the fact that they passed up several chances to score a second goal. Hearts recorded 20 attempts at goal, seven on target, during the 90 minutes. Nordsjaelland had 11 shots, three of which were on target, but nonetheless headed back home content with a point.
Hearts’ next Conference League tie is a daunting trip to Trabzonspor next Thursday, but first they face Celtic in Glasgow at the weekend. It is a punishing schedule for Wouter Vrancken’s side and they ended the evening with a good deal of frustration at failing to get the Conference League off to a winning start.
With McEntee reinstated in midfield after injury, and Christian Borchgrevink selected ahead of Jordi Altena in defence, Hearts had some fresh legs in their starting line-up. Tynecastle was sold out for the visit of the Danes as local supporters turned out in anticipation of a memorable European night under the lights. After the drama of play-off penalties in Vienna, this was the real thing.
Hearts controlled a good deal of the early possession with a clear commitment to passing football. They also hustled their opponents high up the pitch and won the ball back many times as a result. Josh McPake’s running on the left flank posed the visitors some early problems. Nordsjaelland looked dangerous on counter-attacks using their 3-4-3 formation. The pace and trickery of left-winger Prince Amoako was something they tried to utilise when possible.
He was the visitors’ best player by some distance, demonstrating his threat on 22 minutes with a left-footed shot which bounced off the far post. The response from Hearts was McPake’s right-footed attempt from 25 yards, which the Nordsjaelland goalkeeper Andreas Hansen held comfortably. On 33 minutes, Tynecastle erupted when the hosts took the lead. When Calvin Miller’s corner was won by Laurent Mendy’s right foot, Jamie McCart nodded the ball towards the six-yard area and McEntee reacted quickest to get there first and touch it past Hansen with his left foot.
Hearts fans appealed loudly for a penalty when the Nordsjaelland defender Victor Nelsson bundled James Wilson over inside the penalty area. VAR disagreed and play continued. Claudio Braga then shot into the Roseburn Stand from Christian Borchgrevink’s delightful through pass. It looked easier for the Portuguese to hit the target.
The men in maroon kept coming as their opponents seriously wobbled. Nordsjaelland would have felt relieved they didn’t go in 2-0 down at the interval. McEntee won a header at the back post from a corner and forced Hansen down low to stop a certain second goal. The keeper then blocked and swatted away McCart’s follow-up attempt. Seconds later, he was down again to push McPake’s driven netbound strike away for a corner.
Jens Olsen, the Nordsjaelland coach, switched left wing-back Juho Lahteenmaki to the right at half-time in the hope of stifling the irresistible McPake. Opportunities continued at both ends of the field, however. McPake seized on Lahteenmaki’s error but could only shoot wide. At the opposite end, Hearts goalkeeper Beau Reus emerged for an important block on Alex Lind’s attempt as he bore down on goal following Ibrahim Adel’s through ball. Harry Milne then slid in to block another Lind shot.
It was clear at that point that the hosts needed a second goal to secure a more comfortable position in this tie. Tynecastle had gone slightly quiet as some tension set in due to the narrow advantage. The away camp grew in confidence but their team too often lacked a quality final ball when they got into good positions. Reus had to claw away Amoako’s deflected shot at the last second on 71 minutes to prevent an equaliser.
It was no real surprise when Nordsjaelland did score on 86 minutes, for they had been probing for long enough. They worked the ball to the edge of Hearts’ penalty area, where substitute Rojkjaer steadied himself and dispatched a shot at goal, which took a cruel deflection off McCart’s head to divert it away from Reus and into the net.
Here are the Hearts player ratings from Tynecastle:
1. GK: Beau Reus
6/10 Fine save to deny Lind in the second half. Also stopped Amoako's deflected effort. Not troubled too often otherwise. | SNS Group
2. RB: Christian Borchgrevink
7/10 Attacked frequently down the right and was a real asset. Stayed high but did some defending when needed. | SNS
3. RCB: Malachi Fagan-Walcott
7/10 Often had to step out wide to confront Amoako with Borchgrevink playing so high. It didn't faze the Englishman, who was steady all night. Unlucky not to score with a second-half header. | SNS Group
4. LCB: Jamie McCart
7/10 Commanding display. Won many headers and tackles. Gave striker Alex Lind next to no space. | SNS Group